A$AP Rocky Found ‘Not Guilty’

Rapper, musician, and fashion designer A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty by a California jury after facing two counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Photo: AP

The case stems from a 2021 incident involving a former friend and collaborator, A$AP Relli, after they met in Hollywood on November 6, 2021. The two had a disagreement that escalated into a scuffle, during which A$AP Rocky allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired two shots, one of which grazed A$AP Relli’s hand. Rocky’s lawyer and some witnesses claim that he fired a prop gun that only shoots blanks which he had brought for security reasons after filming a music video.

A$AP Rocky rejected the initial offer, which included a six-month jail sentence and probation in exchange for a guilty plea to one count. Instead, he opted for a three-week trial and the possibility of up to 24 years in prison, likely influenced by his legal counsel, criminal defense lawyer Joe Tacopina, who has also represented notable figures such as Alex Rodriguez and Donald Trump.

It seems that A$AP Rocky will be enjoying his newfound freedom, as he is set to headline the Rolling Loud festival in March, co-chair the Met Gala, and make his big-screen debut in Spike Lee’s new film Highest 2 Lowest.